Matthäus expects Bayern to dominate Bundesliga title race again

Germany great Lothar Matthäus expects Bayern Munich to dominate the Bundesliga title race again this season.

“Last year I said Bayern would win the title by at least 15 points. In the end it was 16. This season too, Munich will finish at least 10 points ahead of the competition,” he wrote in his column for broadcaster Sky on Monday.

Matthäus said Bayern had also shown “what quality and mentality they have” in their 2-1 victory at Borussia Dortmund in the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup on Saturday.

The 65-year-old was not surprised that World Cup stars such as Harry Kane and Michael Olise were back in the starting line-up after only a few days of training.

“Most professionals take their training programmes with them on holiday or have their own trainers with them. Spending three or four weeks doing nothing is no longer possible these days,” he said.

Matthäus once again sees runners-up Dortmund as Bayern’s biggest challengers.

“BVB have lost important players, but they have strengthened well,” he said. “[Konstantinos] Karetsas and [Giannis] Konstantelias are young, fresh players who have already gained quite a bit of experience.”

Dortmund newcomers Karetsas and Konstantelias made a good impression in the Super Cup. “I was on holiday in Greece and everyone there is talking about both of them,” Matthäus said.

The new Bundesliga season kicks off on Friday, with Bayern hosting VfB Stuttgart.